With the closest of the 700 islands in the Bahamas just 50 miles from the southern tip of Florida, the Bahamas island chain is a premier tropical destination for travelers from the United States. Getting there from major airports in the United States takes less time than the average American's commute to work. Flights are frequent and depending on the season, they are quite affordable when you plan your trip.

Items you will need

Valid U.S. passport

Step 1

Select the season for your trip. Flights and accommodation prices in the Bahamas are often more expensive when it's winter in the United States.

Step 2

Choose your arrival airport in the Bahamas. Although the island chain has 24 international airports, the most frequent international flights land on the larger islands, at Nassau International Airport and Grand Bahama Airport.

Step 3

Contact U.S. carriers that service the airport that you plan to use as your arrival port and the Bahamas' national airline, Bahamasair, by phone or through their websites to get flight schedules and prices.

Step 4

Book a flight from your home airport to a city that has service to the Bahamas airport that you intend to use as your destination airport. Miami, New York and Chicago are the main departure ports from the United States to the Bahamas.

Step 5

Allow two hours for connecting flights so that your departure airline has time to transfer your luggage between connecting flights.

Tips

Several smaller islands have international airports, with less frequent flights and charter service from the United States.

Lower-priced airfares are often easier to find from June through October, which is during the Atlantic hurricane season.

Beaches, tourist attractions and hotels are crowded on the main islands during spring break for college students.

Warnings

U.S. citizens must present a passport to reenter the United States from the Bahamas.

Buy trip interruption insurance if you travel to the Bahamas during hurricane season.

References

Resources

About the Author

I was an editor for two non-profit newsletters. In 2007, I wrote more than 100 SEO How-to articles for WRG. I also recently completed a series of Workforce Development Mathematics test items for ACT. These projects are covered by Non Disclosure Agreements. However, I can provide references for them, if desired.